Lighting fixture assembly



Aug 22, 1967 J. KEPENACH 3,333,726 LIGHTING FIXTURE ASSEMBLY Filed June 2, 1965.

l6 /5 I I r /9 19 PI J J la A 22 0 h. /8 M /0 i 20 2'0 & I 24 23 23 F' X I l L z /a 20 l5 J 20 23 2 2 J INVENTOR E J. KEPE/VACH United States Patent 3,337,726 LIGHTING FIXTURE ASSEMBLY John Kepenach, Middlesex, N.J., assignor to Pfafi and Kendall, Newark, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 2, 1965, Ser. No. 460,737 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-128) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to lighting fixture assemblies wherein a light source is located interiorly of or enclosed by a globe, reflector, or other housing. Pursuant to the invention, novel means are provided for securing the light housing to the fixture casing in a positive fashion, while permitting ready separation or removal of the housing from the fixture casing for access to interior of the latter, for relamping, repair or replacement of parts, or for other purposes.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of novel means for effecting connection and disconnection of the light housing to the fixture in a simple, rapid and accurate manner.

The drawings, illustrating procedures and devices useful in carrying out the invention, and the description below, are exemplary only of the invention, which shall be deemed to cover all other devices and procedures coming within the scope and purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a vertical, fragmentary, partially sectional view, of a lighting fixture assembly embodying the invention, shown in closed position, and

FIG. 2 is a similar view thereof, in open position.

As shown in the drawings, the lighting fixture comprises a light housing 11, which may be a globe or housing, and a casing 12 having a suitable bracket or support such as 13, for the light socket assembly member 14, the parts 13, 14 as shown in the drawings being examples only, the invention being adapted for use in connection with an infinite variety of other forms thereof, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The light housing 11 is secured to base member 15 by any suitable means, for example, by interfitting marginal Y molding strips 16, secured as at 17 to base member 15. Pursuant to the invention, novel latch means arefifivided for securing the base member 15 to the casing 12, comprising a plurality of spring plates 18, secured to the base 15 by suitable means 19. The lower ends of plates 18 may be oflFset as at 20; button members 21 (FIG. 2) are provided for movement within apertures 22 (FIG. 1) of the base member 15. The plates 18 terminate at their lower ends in outwardly directed flanges 23 which bear against the angularly inclined lower portions 24 of the base member and press the buttons 21 outwardly of apertures 22, the parts being so proportioned that, on positioning the base member within the casing 12, the buttons 21 will be urged through the apertures 25 of the casing 12, said apertures being circumferentially disposed in correspondence with the apertures 22 of the base member 15. Thus, on assembly of the parts, the buttons 21 will snap into the apertures 25 of the casing 12 and (FIG. 1) latch the light housing 11 to the casing. To disengage the housing 11 from the casing, the buttons are moved inwardly clear of the apertures 25 and the housing 11 and attached parts lifted clear of the casing (as shown in FIG. 2) for access to the interior of the casing, for relamping, repairs, or other purposes. Flexible means, such as a chain 26 which may be secured at opposite ends to the casing 12 or bracket 13 thereof and to the base member 15, prevents excessive separation of the light housing 11 and casing 12.

While the foregoing disclosure of exemplary embodiments is made in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, the inventive scope being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lighting fixture assembly for removably securing a light housing to the casing of a fixture, comprising a base member, means to secure the light housing to the base member, a plurality of apertures in the base member, complementarily spaced apertures provided in the fixture casing, a plurality of spring plates secured to the base member at one end, the free ends of said spring plates bearing against the base member adjacent the apertured portion thereof, button members being urged by the spring plates for registration with and free movement in the base member apertures, said button members being proportioned to extend through the apertures of the base member and through the apertures in the fixture casing to secure the base member to the casing, so that, on pressing the buttons inwardly of the fixture casing and clear of the apertures in said casing, the light housing may be removed from the fixture casing for access to the latter, said spring plates heaving offset portions urging said button members to so extend through the apertures in the fixture casing, said spring plates terminating, below the offset portions thereof, in flanges for abutment with the base member.

2. In a lighting fixture assembly for removably securing a light housing to the casing of a fixture, comprising a base member, means to secure the light housing to the base member, a plurality of apertures in the base member, complementarily spaced apertures provided in the fixture casing, a plurality of spring plates secured to the base member at one end, the free ends of said spring plates bearing against the base member adjacent the apertured portion thereof, button members being urged by the spring plates for registration with and free movement in the base member apertures, said button members being proportioned to extend through the apertures of the base member and through the apertures in the fixture casing to secure the base member to the casing, so that, on pressing the buttons inwardly of the fixture casing and clear of the apertures in said casing, the light housing may be removed from the fixture casing, for access to the latter, said spring plates so fixed, at one end, to said base member and terminating, at their lower ends, in outwardly directed flanges, said base member having an outwardly directed angular portion below the portion of the base member to which said spring plates are so secured, said 3 apertures in the base member being disposed in the angularly directed portion of the base member, whereby the outwardly directed flanges of the spring plates abut the outwardly directed angular portion of the base member to urge the button members through the casing apertures.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,254,679 9/1941 Gaskill 24081 4 2,732,482 1/1956 Wince 24011.2 2,951,935 9/1960 Cole 240-108 3,225,187 12/1965 Curtin 24025 FOREIGN PATENTS 644,150 8/ 1962 Italy.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

D. L. JACOBSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LIGHTING FIXTURE ASSEMBLY FOR REMOVABLY SECURING A LIGHT HOUSING TO THE CASING OF A FIXTURE, COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER, MEANS TO SECURE THE LIGHT HOUSING TO THE BASE MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF APERTURES IN THE BASE MEMBER, COMPLEMENTARILY SPACED APERTURES PROVIDED IN THE FIXTURE CASING, A PLURALITY OF SPRING PLATES SECURED TO THE BASE MEMBER AT ONE END, THE FREE ENDS OF SAID SPRING PLATES BEARING AGAINST THE BASE MEMBER ADJACENT THE APERTURED PORTION THEREOF, BUTTON MEMBERS BEING URGED BY THE SPRING PLATES FOR REGISTRATION WITH AND FREE MOVEMENT IN THE BASE MEMBER APERTURES, SAID BUTTON MEMBERS BEING PROPORTIONED TO EXTEND THROUGH THE APERTURES OF THE BASE MEMBER AND THROUGH THE APERTURES IN THE FIXTURE CASING TO SECURE THE BASE MEMBER TO THE CASING, SO THAT, 